Hammers Snatch Late Point in Penalty-Filled Thriller
Key Takeaways
- • West Ham United salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium
- • Four goals scored including two converted penalties in a pulsating encounter between contrasting sides
- • Brighton dominated possession with 61.2% but couldn't hold their lead against resilient Hammers
- • West Ham goalkeeper made five crucial saves to deny Brighton's attacking waves in fiery clash
LONDON, ENGLAND — West Ham United clawed their way back from behind twice to secure a vital 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, a result that keeps the Hammers' survival hopes alive as they remain 18th on 13 points, while the Seagulls in 10th missed a chance to climb higher on 23 points.
In a match that crackled with intensity from the opening whistle, Jarrod Bowen struck first in the 10th minute, latching onto Lucas Paquetá's perfectly weighted through ball before drilling a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. The London Stadium erupted, but Brighton's response was swift and ruthless. Danny Welbeck leveled from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, converting coolly to the bottom left corner with his right foot after West Ham's defense had been adjudged to have fouled in the area. Then, deep into first-half stoppage time at 45'+4', Paquetá himself stepped up to convert another penalty, this time sending his left-footed effort to the bottom right corner to restore West Ham's advantage heading into the break.
The second half belonged to Brighton's relentless pressure. Joël Veltman finally broke through in the 61st minute, prodding home from very close range following a corner kick, his left-footed finish nestling into the bottom right corner as West Ham's defense failed to clear their lines. The Seagulls swarmed forward hunting a winner, with Kaoru Mitoma and Ferdi Kadioglu orchestrating wave after wave of attacks down the flanks.
Brighton dominated the ball with 61.2% possession, pinning West Ham back for long stretches, particularly in the second half. The visitors created more chances too, registering 16 shots to West Ham's 10, with six on target compared to the Hammers' four. But West Ham's goalkeeper Alphonse Areola stood tall when it mattered most, making five saves including crucial stops to deny Georginio Rutter in the 81st minute and Kaoru Mitoma five minutes earlier. The referee was busy throughout, brandishing eight cards in a feisty affair—five yellows for Brighton including late bookings for Jan Paul van Hecke and Charalampos Kostoulas, and three for the hosts.
The turning point came in those frantic final 15 minutes when Brighton threw everything forward but couldn't find the decisive blow. Yasin Ayari fired just wide from outside the box in the 87th minute, while Lewis Dunk's long-range effort two minutes earlier whistled agonizingly past the post. West Ham defended desperately, with Maximilian Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos throwing their bodies on the line repeatedly. Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa battled tirelessly in midfield, disrupting Brighton's rhythm whenever possible.
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes with five added on, both sides had chances to snatch victory. Jarrod Bowen was flagged offside in the 90'+5' minute as West Ham sought to counter, while Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu saw his effort blocked in the dying moments. When the final whistle blew, West Ham had earned a precious point in their battle against relegation, while Brighton were left to rue their inability to convert territorial dominance into three points.
Looking ahead, West Ham will need to build on this resilience, while Brighton will aim to sharpen their finishing when they return to action in their next Premier League fixtures.